304 or 316 Stainless Steel?

Question

Has anybody built their own Transom Rail. I'm getting a fabricator to build one for me and he asked if I wanted to use 316 or 304 stainless. He said that 304 is stronger and will also be ok in the Marine environment where it is used in things such as bolts and high strength structures. He said it's also cheaper and easily available compared to 316. The 304 will also be highly polished the same as 316.

So the question is has anybody had some boat fixture made in 304 and how does it perform? From my own research on the web it appears you can use 304, but there is nothing like peoples own experience.

Regards

Steve

Answer 1

star stainless is a good company to use

Answer 2

Steve,

I would go with the 316.  We have a boatyard in Florida, we replace a lot of OEM hardware that is 304 with 316.  You will save rust weeps along the length of the transom rail, pitting and eventual replacement.  Be sure to use 316 fasteners also.  We find year old screws that are nearly eaten through. Most of these are in the trim plane and swim platform supports.  When confronted with this problem, one large builder decided to us more caulk to fix the problem, rather than spend a few more dollars on better steel. Go figure.

Answer 3

Salt water?...you'll be more satisfied with 316.

304 will require more maintanance.

Answer 4

im a boilermaker 316 stainless is the highest grade stainless you can buy

Answer 5

304 stainless is the most common and will fit your bill without any problems.  316 stainless is used in highly caustic or acidic environments (pulp mills and zinc refineries).  We use both materials during construction and  304, 99% of the time.

Answer 6

Yes done it, used 1" 316 SS, because it was free.  316 holds up slightly better in warm salt water, but its also slightly weaker then 304.  Personally would not go extra expense of 316 unless you plan on keeping your boat year round in the Caribbean or the like.  Most items on my boat are 304 though, if i can even identify them, most of the stainless haven't a clue what type it is.

owner of 30 foot sailboat

Answer 7

316 has a higher amount of chromium in it compared to 304, the chromium is what gives stainless steel its corrosion resistant properties, how ever it is more expensive, i dont actually know what a transom rail is but if it is submerged in salt water constantly 316 will hold up better, but you would only see the difference in corrosion due to its life span, both 316 304 can last decades around these type of conditions.